If others have commented that your television is too loud or that you speak too loudly

If it is hard for you to understand a conversation when you are in a large group or a noisy place

If your child is being tested, the audiologist may ask about:

Difficulties with speech and language development

Other developmental issues

Difficulty in school

Health history

Family history of permanent childhood hearing loss

Your child’s responses to both familiar and unexpected sounds

Your audiologist will likely:

Examine the outer ear for deformities

Examine the ear canal and eardrum with an otoscope, which is a hand-held instrument that has a light and a magnifying lens

Description of Test

There are several types of audiometry, including:

For Adults and Older Children

Pure Tone Audiometry

This test usually takes place in a soundproof booth. You will put on headphones that are connected to an audiometer. This device sends sounds of different volumes and pitches to one ear at a time. You will be asked to respond each time you hear a sound. You may be asked to respond by raising your hand.

You may also be asked to wear a special instrument called a bone oscillator. It is worn behind each ear. The device sends sounds as vibrations directly to the inner ear. You will again be asked to respond each time you hear a sound.

Speech Audiometry

You will wear special headphones. You will hear simple, two-syllable words. Words will be sent to one ear at a time at different volume levels. You will be asked to repeat each word or point to a picture.

Impedance Audiometry (Tympanometry)

A probe is inserted into your ear. The device changes the air pressure in your ear and emits sounds. The test measures how much your eardrum moves in response to the air pressure change and the sounds. It can help determine how well the middle ear is functioning and if there is fluid in it.

For Infants and Toddlers

Behavioral Audiometry

Babies are watched to see how they react to certain sounds.

Visual Reinforcement Audiometry

Children are taught to look toward the source of a sound.

Conditioned Play Audiometry

Older children are given a fun version of the pure tone audiometry test. Sounds of varying volume and pitch are sent through headphones to one ear at a time. Children are asked to do something with a toy each time they hear a sound. They may be asked to drop a block in a bucket.

Newborns and young infants may have brain stem auditory response testing. A sound is sent through headphones to one ear at a time. The response is measured using EEG recordings over the
auditory cortex.

After Test

Your test results are recorded on an audiogram. This is a chart or graph that shows the softest sounds you can hear. The audiologist will explain your test results.

How Long Will It Take?

Testing times vary. A first screening may take only 5-10 minutes. A more detailed hearing test may take up to an hour.

Will It Hurt?

There is no pain associated with these tests.

Results

Your doctor will talk to you about treatment options if your test results confirm that you have hearing loss.

Call Your Doctor

Call your doctor if any of the following occurs after the test:

You experience continued or severe lightheadedness

You notice additional hearing loss

You experience pain

If you think you have an emergency, call for medical help right away.

RESOURCES

American Academy of Audiology
http://www.audiology.org

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
http://www.asha.org

CANADIAN RESOURCES

Canadian Academy of Audiology
http://www.canadianaudiology.ca

Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca

References

All about hearing loss: What is an audiogram? Boys Town National Research Hospital website. Available at:
http://www.babyhearing.org/HearingAmplification/HearingLoss/audiogram.asp. Accessed July 23, 2013.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.